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MC1188937 Stay informedAdmin impact

WINS removal: Moving forward with modern name resolution

From Microsoft 365 Message Center Archive by Merill Fernando · Microsoft may not have sent this notice to your tenant.
Windows
Microsoft 365 admin center

What the notice says

Microsoft’s text, safely structured

If you manage Windows Servers, plan for removal of Windows Internet Name Service (WINS). WINS was officially deprecated since Windows Server 2022 and will be removed from all Windows Server releases following Windows Server 2025. Standard support will continue through the lifecycle of Windows Server 2025, until November 2034. We encourage you to migrate to modern Domain Name System (DNS)-based name resolution solutions before then.

When will this happen

  • WINS deprecation was announced in Windows Server 2022. Deprecation means the feature remains supported and maintained, but there is no further active development or new functionality planned.
  • November 2034 is the end of the lifecycle for Windows Server 2025, which also marks the end of support for WINS.

How this will affect your organization

Once removal takes effect, the following components will no longer be part of Windows Server:

  • WINS Server role and associated binaries
  • WINS Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in
  • WINS automation APIs and related management interfaces

Please prepare, evaluate, and migrate to modern Domain Name System (DNS)-based name resolution solutions.

What you need to do to prepare

Take proactive steps now to ensure a smooth migration:

  • Audit dependencies: Inventory applications and services that rely on NetBIOS name resolution to understand impact.
  • Migrate to DNS: Implement conditional forwarders, split-brain DNS, or search suffix lists to replace WINS functionality with scalable, modern DNS solutions.
  • Update applications: Modernize or retire legacy applications that depend on WINS to avoid future compatibility issues.
  • Avoid temporary workarounds: Solutions like static host files do not scale and are not sustainable for long-term environments.

Consult additional resources for compete details and guidance.

What changed

Between archive captures, newest first

The archive supplies one version of this notice.

Learn more

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What this page cannot tell you
  • Whether your tenant is affected: this is Microsoft's notice, not a check of your settings.
  • 3 linked pages have not been read yet.
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